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2nd
Quartermaster Group |
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| Group History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VE-Day - October 1945 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Military History, 2nd Quartermaster Group, 1945-1965. Compiled by the 2nd QM Gp in the mid 1960s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| December 1950 - June 1965 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Military History, 2nd Quartermaster Group, 1945-1965. Compiled by the 2nd QM Gp in the mid 1960s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Quartermaster
General Order #15, Headquarters United States Army Europe, dated
12 December 1950 brought about the activation of the 2nd
Quartermaster Group at Giessen, Germany less than a month
after Seventh Army's assignment to the NATO team. Activated on 20
December 1950, the Group provides the logistical support necessary
for the deterent capability of 7th Army and the NATO Allies in the
defense of Western Europe.
Differing greatly from its mission during World War II (transporting Class I and Class V supplies and miscellaneous transport missions), the demands of modern warfare vastly increased the Group's mission. With its increased capability the Group was charged with providing Class I, Class II and IV, Class III supplies and Quartermaster Maintenance and Services to the 3rd Infantry, 4th Armored, and 24th Infantry Division, VII Corps and 7th Army troops and USAREUR units in Germany. Commanding the Group during its initial period of reactivation was Colonel Floyd C. Harding who commanded from 20 December until April of 1951. On 1 June 1951, the 35th Quartermaster Battalion was activated and attached to the Group at Roth, Germany. The 56th Quartermaster Battalion at Nürnberg, the 14th at Hanau and the 15th at Munich were attached to the Group in October 1951. Later, the 35th Quartermaster Battalion moved to Coffee Barracks in Ludwigsburg where it was later to be joined by the 2nd Quartermaster Group Headquarters. Coming to the Group from Seventh Army Headquarters where he was Deputy Quartermaster from December 1950 until April 1951, Colonel Maxwell Emerson took command on April 1951. He entered the service in August 1941 and serviced with the Post Quartermaster, Fort Devons, Massachusetts, and Fort Adams, Rhode Island. With this unit of Fort Adams, he went to the South West Pacific Theatre to participate in the New Guinea and Papuan Campaigns. Colonel Emerson won the Silver Star Medal in the campaign at Burma and holds the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Stars and a Bronze Arrowhead. Colonel Emerson took command the same date that 7th Army took control of the 2nd Quartermaster Group from the Giessen Depot. At the end of March 1951 the Group was charged with the command and operation of Camp Y-79. This Camp, at which the 2nd QM Group set up the entire operation, was for the processing of all new Divisions and odd Battalions arriving from the United States. Later the Camp was placed under the control of 7th Army Transportation Group. Later, during 1951, the 2nd Quartermaster Group was moved from Giessen Depot to Karls Kaserne in Ludwigsburg. On 23 July 1952 Colonel Beuford E. Pittman took command of the Group. Before joining the Group, Colonel Pittman fought in the Mediterranean Theatre in 1944-45, assigned as Deputy Quartermaster of the 91st Infantry Division. Later, after completing his work for a degree from Yale University, he served in the Far Eastern Theatre as a member of the G-4 Division, GHQ. During Colonel Pittman's command the Group developed a bulk gasoline dispenser using a powerdriven front end pumper which allowed refuelling of four tank vehicles at one time. Two removable 750 gallon skid-type tanks were used on standard 2-1/2 ton trucks. This experiment proved very successful at the time. On 10 October 1954 Colonel Kenneth M. Hurst took command of 2nd Quartermaster Group. Adequate records not being available to pinpoint the exact date the Group moved from Karls Kaserne to Coffey Barracks, it can be given as sometime between 1952 and October 1954. This move to Coffey Barracks placed the Group and the 35th Quartermaster Battalion on the same post. Colonel Hurst was Quartermaster of the 5th Infantry Division before coming into the Group. He is a veteran of the European Theatre with four campaign credits in France and Germany. He served initially with the 49th Quartermaster Battalion and later with the 474th Quartermaster Group. His collegiate studies were completed in Western Illinois State College and the University of Virginia. During Colonel Hurst's command he advocated the concept of using Direct Support Companies along with General Hodes (Commanding General of Seventh Army) idea of alternate-multiple supply points in the field. A test of these two concepts proved them workable and they were both adopted. Following Colonel Hurst was Colonel James D. Ogletree who took command of the 2nd Quartermaster Group on 13 April 1956. During Colonel Ogletree's command the 95th Quartermaster Battalion was attached to the Group on 20 February 1957. Then located at Strassburg Kaserne, Idar Oberstein, Germany, the Battalion was the first to take operational control of Direct Support Platoons engaged in MASS (Modern Army Supply System). During the month of July 1958 an exchange of command placed the Group under command of Colonel Roland F. Hartman. During his command the 6th Quartermaster Group was activated thus giving the 7th Army two Quartermaster Groups in support of the two Tactical Corps. The 6th Quartermaster Group was originally organized as the Hanau Quartermaster Group (Provisional), effective 17 July 1958, with duty stations at Hanau, Germany. The Group had the responsibility of providing Quartermaster support in USAREUR Northern and Western Area Commands. On 1 October 1958, Hanau Quartermaster Group (Provisional), with two attached battalions, the 14th and the 15th Quartermaster Battalions, became fully operational under the command of Colonel Clifford T. Riordan. The Group was redesignated the 6th Quartermaster Group on 1 December 1958. This Group was originally constituted as the 535th Quartermaster Group on 15 June 1944. On 10 November 1958 Colonel Howard F. Kuenning assumed command of the 2nd Quartermaster Group. Following Colonel Kuenning was Lt Colonel Dave Price who was in temporary command from December 1959 to January 1960. On 3 January 1960 the Group command was assumed by Colonel Robert M. Stegmaier. One day later, on 4 January 1960 the 56th Quartermaster Battalion was transferred to the 6th Quartermaster Group. By authority contained in USAREUR General Order #304, 29 September 1961, the 242nd Quartermaster Battalion was reactivated at Freiham, Germany. Based on the modern concept of Direct Support, the mission of the Battalion was to provide a single source of Quartermaster supply, services and field maintenance to units of USAREUR and Seventh Army. On 28 July 1961 Colonel Frank J. Stanek assumed command of the 2nd Quartermaster Group. Colonel Stanek was quite active in, and did much to further the cause of German-American relations in the Ludwigsburg area. He is the sole possessor of two records which point to his outstanding capability. Colonel Stanek has the distinction of not only commanding the group for the longest period but also for being the youngest Colonel in command. Soon after Colonel Blackwell assumed command of the Group, it was called upon to supply critical support to one of the United States most significant operations, operation "BIG LIFT. " During October and November of 1963 the 2nd Quartermaster Group gave a real challenge and a chance to show what they could do during 'round the clock operations.' Supplying 20 tanker drivers, a fuel system supply point for the 2nd Armored Division and a Class III railhead for refuelling all aircraft at the three air bases utilized, the Group rendered the efficient support necessary for the smooth function of operation "BIG LIFT." In late 1963 a devastating earthquake shook the town of Scopje, Yugoslavia. To help in the rebuilding the 39th Engineer Group from Karlsruhe was called on to render their assistance, and to support the needs of the Engineers the Bath Section of the 35th Quartermaster Battalion and the Laundry Section of the 242nd Quartermaster Battalion supplied their services in Scopje. During the period between 15 May 1964 and 15 March 1965, 2nd Quartermaster Group was given the task of testing 16 GOER Vehicles for the Department of Army. This test included 7 - 5, 000 gallon tankers, 7 - 2, 500 gallon tankers, 1 - 10 ton wrecker and 1 - 20 ton wrecker. The Group provided 20 drivers from all battalions and 6 mechanics for the duration of the test. On 5 June 1964 the 2nd Quartermaster Group displayed and demonstrated all types of POL handling equipment within and in support of Seventh Army. Presented especially for General William W. Quinn, Seventh Army Commander, all unit commanders in Germany came to view the demonstration or sent a representative of the unit. Among the visitors were General Pierce, Asst Division Commander of the 4th Armored Division, General Hines, USAREUR Quartermaster and General Enemarck, Asst Division Commander of the 24th Infantry Division. In September of 1964 Brigadier General Case, USAREUR Quartermaster visited the Group Headquarters and was given a briefing of the Group by Colonel Fredric C. Bott. Brigadier General Case received a tour of all units in the Ludwigsburg area; Class II and IV Supply Point, the ICD, Class I and III yard and the Maintenance Shop. Coming into the service on 14 October 1940 and rising from the rank of Private to that of Major by the end of hostilities, Colonel Fredric C. Bott became the 2nd Quartermaster Group's new Commander on 18 July 1964. Colonel Bott saw action during World War II in North France, Central Europe, the Ardenes and in the Rhineland Campaign. During 1964 the 2nd Quartermaster Group held two all-Group competitions. The Driver Rodeo in August was won by the excellent driving ability of the men in the 35th Quartermaster Battalion. In November the sharpshooters of the 95th Quartermaster Battalion placed number one in the competition garnering 24 out of 29 trophies. Although too numerous to mention but too important to evade are the many Field Training Exercises and Army Training Tests which the Group participated in. The Group supported all Seventh Army Quartermaster needs up until the time the 6th QM Group was formed in 1958 and all of Seventh Army's needs in Southern Germany after the formation of the 6th QM Group. The 2nd Quartermaster Group was inactivated at a very stirring ceremony at Coffey Barracks, Ludwigsburg, Germany on 25 June 1965. Participating in the ceremony were troops from the 35th, 95th, 242d QM Battalions and the 109th Medium Transportation Company which was attached to the 35th QM Battalion. The colors and guiden were retired and mailed to the Quartermaster Corps Museum at Ft Lee, Virginia. Personnel from the 2d Quartermaster Group joined with personnel of the 47th Ordnance Group to form the 3rd Support Brigade, one of the three brigades formed under COSTAR. The 6th Quartermaster Group at Hanau, Germany and the 51st Ordnance Group formed the 2nd Support Brigade. |
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1956 |
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(Source: Unit History, 2nd Quartermaster Group, APO 154, c. 1956) |
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HEADQUARTERS 2D QUARTERMASTER GROUP APO 154  US ARMY |
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Location: The 2nd Quartermaster Group Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment is locted at Coffey Barracks, Ludwigsburg, Germany, in the Southern Area Command. Composition: The Group is comprised of four Quartermaster Battalions, eleven T/O&E Companies, three AU companies (MASS) and one service type detachment. Mission: The mission of the Group Headquarters is to provide technical, operational and administrative control for all attached Quartermaster units, with the exception of MASS units, wherein (illegible) exercised by the Seventh Army Quartermaster. The Group Headquarters and all attached T/O&E units have a primary mission of unit training in support of the Seventh United States Army. In addition, each unit has a general support training mission as depicted below. This training is constantly directed toward support of Seventh Army for its tactical mission by operating Class I and III supply points and furnishing of Quartermaster services; i.e., bakery, graves registration and Quartermaster maintenance. The present geographical location of these units lends itself to the support of Seventh Army as follows: The 14th Quartermaster Battalion located in Munster, Germany, Northern Area Command, has the mission of supporting V Corps in its tactical mission.
The 15th Quartermaster Battalion located in Mannheim, Germany, Headquarters Area Command, is a reserve battalion and in direct support of special troops of Army and Corps.
The 35th Quartermaster Battalion located in Ludwigsburg, Germany, Southern Area Command, has the mission of supporting VI Corps in its tactical mission.
The 56th Quartermaster Battalion located in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Western Area Command, is a reserve battalion and in direct support of special troops of Army and Corps.
In addition to the aforementioned Quartermaster T/O&E units, the following units are in direct support of MASS at locations indicated:
The 7762nd AU also operates a MASS Depot at Seckenheim, Germany. |
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** At the time this unit history was written, there were three Quartermaster units identified to participate in Operation Gyroscope. The T/O&E companies that were replaced in the 1957-58 timeframe were possibly the following: 215th QM (Petr Sup) replaced by the 157th QM Co (Petr Sup) - Kaiserslautern 512th QM Co (Bakery) replaced by the 510th QM Co (Bakery) -
Ludwigsburg 556th QM Co (Subsist Sup) replaced by the 568th QM Co (Subsist Sup) - Ludwigsburg |
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1958 |
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(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Jan 23, 1958) |
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(Webmaster Note: actual units listed below are taken from the STATION LIST for Dec 1957 and are not named in the article. Depot units highlighted in blue were not mentioned in the article as part of the 2nd QM Group - they may be directly under the 7th Army QM Division.) The 2nd Quartermaster Group, Ludwigsburg, supports the 160,000 soldiers of 7th Army. The group serves as a grocery store, gasoline supplier, bakery, department store, and operator of shops that repair everything from clothing to typewriters. CO of the 2nd QM Gp is Col Roland F. Hartman. The 2nd QM Gp consists of five QM battalions and 16 QM companies located throughout the 7th Army area. |
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| ORGANIZATION (1958): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[1] Source: STATION LIST, 31 December 1957 |
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The group has two subsistence companies. They supply all foods, except bread, to the 7th Army. Provisions arrive by ship at Bremerhaven and are transported by truck to the group's 26 ration breakdown points, where the food is divided for delivery to mess halls.
One of the largest breakdown points is at Ludwigsburg where more than 1,500 tons of food are handled each month. This includes about 700,000 pounds of fresh and frozen vegetables, almost 1,000,000 pounds of canned and dried food and about 400,000 pounds of meats and frozen foods. The group has two bakery companies that supply the bread to 7th Army. These companies are 100 percent mobile - all of their equipment, including ovens, mixers and cooling racks, are mounted on trucks. Each bakery company has the capability to bake 8,000 loaves of bread per day. They operate two shifts a day, 6 days a week.
The 2nd QM Gp has six direct support companies that supply, replace, and repair clothing and equipment. Coordinating with the Modern Army Supply System (MASS), these companies can do anything from hammering out a dented canteen to supplying a new oven for one of the bakery companies. The companies have canvas shops to repair tentage; clothing shops to add buttons to field jackets or sew a tear in a bed sheet; metal shops; typewriter shops and a variety of other facilities to repair or recondition nearly any type of military equipment.
The DS companies also operate mobile platoons - these platoons move into the area of one of their customer units and set up shop to repair or replace anything. Each 19-man platoon (1 officer and 18 EM) is equipped with two large vans, two 2½-ton trucks and a jeep. Class III supply is the group's most recent mission. As of October 1 1957, the 2nd QM Gp is responsible for supplying 7th Army units and QM gasoline stations with all petroleum products. The group has five petroleum companies that furnish gasoline, diesel fuel, and allied products from 31 separate supply points.
A graves registration company is responsible for the recovery, evacuation, identifcation and interring of remains after combat.
The group also has a unique detachment - a petroleum laboratory. This detachment of six enlisted personnel travels throughout the 7th Army area to test petroleum products for quality control.
Webmaster Note: Another Depot unit not mentioned in the article but found in the STATION LIST is the 85th QM Co (Clothing & Gen Supply Depot), Nahbollenbach Depot. [1] STATION LIST, 31 December 1957 |
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CHRONOLOGY
2nd Quartermaster Group |
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1964 |
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(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Feb 13, 1964) |
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| ORGANIZATION (Feb 1964): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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[1] Source: STATION LIST, 30 June 1964 |
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| If you have more information on the history or organization of the 2nd QM Gp, please contact me. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7th Army MASS Project (Modern Army Supply System) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: STARS & STRIPES, July 9, 1956) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7th Army recently activated three quartermaster companies that will provide quartermaster supply support during the test phase of the 7th Army MASS project. The three units have been assigned to the 2nd QM Group. The companies were designed to be very flexible and will provide rapid repair parts supply and maintenance services to units within the 7th Army area. Two of the companies are direct support companies, the third is a repair parts depot company. These are the first QM units of this type in the US Army. 7763rd QM Direct Support Company -- acting CO is 1st Lt Clifford Powers. The 7763rd will be stationed at Ludwigsburg and will have platoons operating at Ludwigsburg, Nuernberg and Munich. The company is attached to the 35th QM Bn. 7764th QM Direct Support Company -- CO is Capt Clyde W. White. The 7764th will be stationed at Frankfurt and will have platoons operating at Frankfurt, Baumholder and Wuerzburg. The company is attached to the 14th QM Bn. 7762nd QM Repair Parts Depot Company -- CO is Capt Thomas J. Stapleton. The 7762nd will be stationed at Seckenheim and be attached to the 15th QM Bn. (Webmaster note: STATION LIST 30 June 1957 shows the 7762nd located in Kaefertal and the 7764th at Hanau) |
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| (Source: STARS & STRIPES, July 10, 1956) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Giessen Quartermaster Depot is remodeling fourteen 10-ton semitrailer vans into repair parts supply vans. The first 12 have been turned over to the 2nd QM Group. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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